The Poet X By Elizabeth Acevedo

 The Poet X By Elizabeth Acevedo 

Genre

Young Adult Novel in Verse 

Target Age Group

13-17 years, grades 9-12

Summary

The Poet X follows Xiomara, a 15-year-old Dominican, who is trying to navigate her teenage years living in a strict, religious household in Harlem, New York. Xiomara’s use of poetry as an outlet for her feelings increases the tension between her and her family which is gradually solved over time.

Justification for Choosing

I selected this book because it fits the criteria for a National Book Award and a novel in verse. I have read an Elizabeth Acevedo book previously, and believed this was a good opportunity to read more by this author. Acevedo is able to tell impactful stories through verse, and the popularity of this book made it an intriguing read. 

Evaluation

For this review, I will be evaluating the book's characters, tension, and cover. 

Characters: 
The characters in The Poet X are multi-dimensional as the protagonist Xiomara and her family are complex characters with their backstories and personalities developed through the story's exposition and the characters' actions. Xiomara often displays typical teenage behavior which is relatable for young adult readers who can empathize with her desire to be treated like an adult and make her own decisions. Xiomara's parents are also extremely complex as their religious and cultural backgrounds affect how they parent Xiomara and her younger brother. All of the characters, regardless of their age, are realistic and readers will be able to relate to the characters and the struggles they are going through. Many readers, especially teens, can identify with Xiomara as she deals with family, friendship, and relationship issues that are unfamiliar to her and often overwhelming. 

Tension: 
The author is able to maintain tension throughout the book as the story opens with Xiomara expressing dissatisfaction about the way she is treated by her family. The constant arguments between Xiomara and those around her increases the amount of tension in the story, keeping the reader engaged as they wonder how the story will end. Additionally, the use of verse adds to the story's tension as many of the poems read like slam poetry with each line growing more and more intense. 

Cover: 
The cover of The Poet X is eye-catching as it features an image of the protagonist, Xiomara, surrounded by bright colors. The inclusion of words and phrases is a great inclusion for the cover as it conveys how the book's contents revolve around the use of poetry and Xiomara's love of writing. The summary on the back of the book is well-written and is not misleading as it provides the reader with a brief insight into the plot of the book. 

Overall Rating: 5/5

References 

Acevedo, E. (2018). The Poet X. Quill Tree Books.